The other day a high school friend of mine asked me an all too familiar question that doesn't have a simple answer. He said that he was resisting the idea for a while and needed advice - "How do I know if God is calling me to ministry?" He wanted to know how I knew and to hopefully draw from that whether he was.
I shared my story with him and some wisdom I gathered along the way. I polished it up a bit for this blog, but this is the gist of what I hope will bless those who are considering the same question. By the way, names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Dave,
This isn't an easy thing to discern. It was a long and winding path for me, and i'm still on it! It all started when I was about 13 and began reading God's word for myself out of a genuine thirst for God. He started growing in me and a love for His word and His people. Shortly after, I was baptized. Now, I "sensed" the call of God on my life when I was about 15. I was at a camp meeting one summer and I remember hearing the pastor calling us to go deeper with God. So, not knowing what that might look like, I decided to give God my future, my gifts, my life for his service. Looking back, it seemed crazy at the time, but really it was all His anyhow.
I talked to my pastors about it and they graciously let me tag team preach when I was 16. I really enjoyed preaching but wasn't very good at it. In fact, if you've heard me talk about it before, I call it my worst sermon ever! I tried to cover nearly the whole canon of scripture even though I was only assigned a small portion of 1 Timothy. My parents told me that I had was so scattered that you could barely hear me over the rustling of the Bible pages. However, the church was encouraging.
During the time that followed, I kept praying about it and doing research into what it would take to head into the ministry though i was very afraid. It's a big calling! Since my grandparents lived in Illinois near Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where my Senior Pastor had recommended me to go (oddly instead of his Alma Matter, our denominational school), we made a visit. They said that I had to get a liberal arts or bible degree to get a basic MDIV (Masters in Divinity). My parents liked that since they thought I should get a tent making degree to "fall back on" just in case. I agreed.
While in college, I bargained with God trying to avoid the call or make it into something more innocuous like just a Christian who does ______, but I had to preach. I served in various ministries and had some great chances to learn what my gifts were and how to "fan them to flame." As I served, some gifts came out that I didn't even know were there! After college I tried to volunteer with a college ministry at a Community College while serving at my home church and working at a Bible Bookstore. I found that though college ministry was good, I loved the church ministry much more. After a year of doing all three, I left for my sister's church that had an opportunity for an interim youth pastor. I jumped at the chance to break in without the schooling, but quickly found out that at the end of that interim year I desperately needed training.
By the end of that year of interim youth ministry, my Biblical knowledge was depleted and I didn't have the tools I needed to keep going strong. So, I prayed a lot, applied, and then went to Seminary. While there I served and studied - eating it all up! It was thrilling and I did so much better than in any of my previous education. Through that time I was involved in various churches that affirmed different gifts in me. I saw fruit too! Kids coming to Christ, being baptized, changing lives, going deeper. And I enjoyed it! I think that is a key part, God gives us joy when we serve in His power, using his gifts, for His Glory!
After 15 years in the ministry God has directed and corrected my path time and time again. More recently, as you may know, I left my youth ministry position for a hopeful senior position. I was highly encouraged to do this by my fellow pastoral staff. They saw gifts in me that they believed, along with the elders, would be even better suited for Sr. Pastor ministry. I didn't like that at first, but I see God's hand in that now.
I'm about to be candidate at a church back in Michigan in the coming months and I'm both terrified and thrilled at what God will do next in and through me. I know that he has been equipping me for this for years, culturing my heart, developing my mind, and refining my skills.
That said, here's the advice part. I tell my interns and friends considering the ministry that there are a couple things to look for to determine if you're called and to what.
First, All Christians are called to ministry, but vocational ministry is a different kind of thing. Some of the indicators of where or how a Christian should serve are: spiritual gifting, A heart burden, your abilities, your personality, your experience, and lastly your character. Affirmation of these things as well as joy and fruit in the service are good measures of calling.
Let me explain: First, you have to discern what gifts has the Holy Spirit given you for his service. If preaching, teaching, shepherding, or leadership are in your top gift mix and you have a burden for equipping the saints or proclaiming his word to the lost then you have a good start.
Your personality plays a key part too as God can use both introverts and extroverts, but if you don't like large groups or are too socially awkward that you can't get on well with a diverse people then it might not be for you. (I don't think that describes you at all, just making a point).
If you can communicate well with people that and have a grace filled compassionate heart when you counsel or speak, those are absolutely essential. If you've preached, check yourself to see why you enjoy it if you do. Check your pride! That's a constant enemy! Check your motivations. Some get into ministry to tell others what to do or exert control. Others get into it to receive the praise of man.
What experiences have you had that lead you to considering this? If when you have stepped out in using the gifts God has given you and God has blessed those you minister to, blessed you, and brought more than just flattering praise of man but real affirmation and challenge, then God might be leading you to ministry.
In regards to character, The Apostle Paul lays out the Godly character that an Elder/ Pastor should have to Timothy and Titus. If this describes you well (understanding that being perfect isn't required, but growth is), then you may be a good fit.
DISCLAIMER:
Ministry will chew you up emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally and often spit you out! So, If your bones don't burn within you, if you aren't compelled by His love, If you can do anything else happily, then do anything else. Seriously, do anything else if you can.
Again, All saints are called to be ministers of reconciliation wherever they go regardless of vocation, but this is a hard full-time job. Ministry calls for a tender heart and a thick skin. Saints are sometimes far more cruel than sinners. Furthermore, Satan will not be happy with you and will try to destroy your family, your reputation, and your faith as you set out to proclaim and lead in this manner. This will come in an intensity that you may have never experienced before.
Walking with people through grief and pain aren't glorious tasks. They're hard and agonizing-- but worth it! He is worth it all! I hope this helps. I could write a lot about this and my experience, but there's the wisdom I've found. I'll be praying for wisdom for you brother! May the Grace of God guide you!
-Jim
One thing i would want to emphasize again, which in hindsight is only partially there, is this: a keen understanding of God's grace is necessary to be a minister of said grace.. Without which all the understanding of God's holiness means very little. They are two attributes of God that I don't believe can be divorced from each other. If that deep understanding marks you, then you are on a good path.
I am always praying for God to raise up more ministers. I'm a little partial, I think it's the best job ever! I mean I've got a great boss who loves me, gives me amazing gifts, and the retirement package is out of this world!
Bless you all!
I shared my story with him and some wisdom I gathered along the way. I polished it up a bit for this blog, but this is the gist of what I hope will bless those who are considering the same question. By the way, names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Dave,
This isn't an easy thing to discern. It was a long and winding path for me, and i'm still on it! It all started when I was about 13 and began reading God's word for myself out of a genuine thirst for God. He started growing in me and a love for His word and His people. Shortly after, I was baptized. Now, I "sensed" the call of God on my life when I was about 15. I was at a camp meeting one summer and I remember hearing the pastor calling us to go deeper with God. So, not knowing what that might look like, I decided to give God my future, my gifts, my life for his service. Looking back, it seemed crazy at the time, but really it was all His anyhow.
I talked to my pastors about it and they graciously let me tag team preach when I was 16. I really enjoyed preaching but wasn't very good at it. In fact, if you've heard me talk about it before, I call it my worst sermon ever! I tried to cover nearly the whole canon of scripture even though I was only assigned a small portion of 1 Timothy. My parents told me that I had was so scattered that you could barely hear me over the rustling of the Bible pages. However, the church was encouraging.
During the time that followed, I kept praying about it and doing research into what it would take to head into the ministry though i was very afraid. It's a big calling! Since my grandparents lived in Illinois near Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where my Senior Pastor had recommended me to go (oddly instead of his Alma Matter, our denominational school), we made a visit. They said that I had to get a liberal arts or bible degree to get a basic MDIV (Masters in Divinity). My parents liked that since they thought I should get a tent making degree to "fall back on" just in case. I agreed.
While in college, I bargained with God trying to avoid the call or make it into something more innocuous like just a Christian who does ______, but I had to preach. I served in various ministries and had some great chances to learn what my gifts were and how to "fan them to flame." As I served, some gifts came out that I didn't even know were there! After college I tried to volunteer with a college ministry at a Community College while serving at my home church and working at a Bible Bookstore. I found that though college ministry was good, I loved the church ministry much more. After a year of doing all three, I left for my sister's church that had an opportunity for an interim youth pastor. I jumped at the chance to break in without the schooling, but quickly found out that at the end of that interim year I desperately needed training.
By the end of that year of interim youth ministry, my Biblical knowledge was depleted and I didn't have the tools I needed to keep going strong. So, I prayed a lot, applied, and then went to Seminary. While there I served and studied - eating it all up! It was thrilling and I did so much better than in any of my previous education. Through that time I was involved in various churches that affirmed different gifts in me. I saw fruit too! Kids coming to Christ, being baptized, changing lives, going deeper. And I enjoyed it! I think that is a key part, God gives us joy when we serve in His power, using his gifts, for His Glory!
After 15 years in the ministry God has directed and corrected my path time and time again. More recently, as you may know, I left my youth ministry position for a hopeful senior position. I was highly encouraged to do this by my fellow pastoral staff. They saw gifts in me that they believed, along with the elders, would be even better suited for Sr. Pastor ministry. I didn't like that at first, but I see God's hand in that now.
I'm about to be candidate at a church back in Michigan in the coming months and I'm both terrified and thrilled at what God will do next in and through me. I know that he has been equipping me for this for years, culturing my heart, developing my mind, and refining my skills.
That said, here's the advice part. I tell my interns and friends considering the ministry that there are a couple things to look for to determine if you're called and to what.
First, All Christians are called to ministry, but vocational ministry is a different kind of thing. Some of the indicators of where or how a Christian should serve are: spiritual gifting, A heart burden, your abilities, your personality, your experience, and lastly your character. Affirmation of these things as well as joy and fruit in the service are good measures of calling.
Let me explain: First, you have to discern what gifts has the Holy Spirit given you for his service. If preaching, teaching, shepherding, or leadership are in your top gift mix and you have a burden for equipping the saints or proclaiming his word to the lost then you have a good start.
Your personality plays a key part too as God can use both introverts and extroverts, but if you don't like large groups or are too socially awkward that you can't get on well with a diverse people then it might not be for you. (I don't think that describes you at all, just making a point).
If you can communicate well with people that and have a grace filled compassionate heart when you counsel or speak, those are absolutely essential. If you've preached, check yourself to see why you enjoy it if you do. Check your pride! That's a constant enemy! Check your motivations. Some get into ministry to tell others what to do or exert control. Others get into it to receive the praise of man.
What experiences have you had that lead you to considering this? If when you have stepped out in using the gifts God has given you and God has blessed those you minister to, blessed you, and brought more than just flattering praise of man but real affirmation and challenge, then God might be leading you to ministry.
In regards to character, The Apostle Paul lays out the Godly character that an Elder/ Pastor should have to Timothy and Titus. If this describes you well (understanding that being perfect isn't required, but growth is), then you may be a good fit.
DISCLAIMER:
Ministry will chew you up emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally and often spit you out! So, If your bones don't burn within you, if you aren't compelled by His love, If you can do anything else happily, then do anything else. Seriously, do anything else if you can.
Again, All saints are called to be ministers of reconciliation wherever they go regardless of vocation, but this is a hard full-time job. Ministry calls for a tender heart and a thick skin. Saints are sometimes far more cruel than sinners. Furthermore, Satan will not be happy with you and will try to destroy your family, your reputation, and your faith as you set out to proclaim and lead in this manner. This will come in an intensity that you may have never experienced before.
Walking with people through grief and pain aren't glorious tasks. They're hard and agonizing-- but worth it! He is worth it all! I hope this helps. I could write a lot about this and my experience, but there's the wisdom I've found. I'll be praying for wisdom for you brother! May the Grace of God guide you!
-Jim
One thing i would want to emphasize again, which in hindsight is only partially there, is this: a keen understanding of God's grace is necessary to be a minister of said grace.. Without which all the understanding of God's holiness means very little. They are two attributes of God that I don't believe can be divorced from each other. If that deep understanding marks you, then you are on a good path.
I am always praying for God to raise up more ministers. I'm a little partial, I think it's the best job ever! I mean I've got a great boss who loves me, gives me amazing gifts, and the retirement package is out of this world!
Bless you all!